Gut–brain link in Parkinson's disease
Gut-brain axis in Parkinson's disease
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO HEALTH SCI CAMPUS · NIH-11176793
This project looks at whether changes in the gut and a nerve connection to the brain lead to Parkinson's disease and its common bowel symptoms in people with Parkinson's.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO HEALTH SCI CAMPUS (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (TOLEDO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11176793 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how problems in the gut might start or worsen Parkinson's by traveling up a nerve to the brain. They use a novel rat model where low-dose environmental toxin plus common dietary proteins cause Parkinson-like brain and gut changes, and then measure gut movement and nerve activity. The team focuses on a nigro-vagal pathway that connects the dopamine neurons in the brain to the brainstem cells controlling the gut and checks how that pathway is altered in disease. The work aims to link early GI symptoms like constipation to later brain changes seen in Parkinson's.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with early or prodromal Parkinson's disease who have gastrointestinal symptoms such as constipation or gastroparesis would be most relevant to this line of research.
Not a fit: People without Parkinson's or those with very advanced disease are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this preclinical-focused work in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to early gut-based markers or new treatment targets to prevent or slow Parkinson's and help relieve related bowel problems.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal and observational studies have supported a gut-to-brain route for Parkinson's and produced similar findings, but translating those results into human therapies has not yet been achieved.
Where this research is happening
TOLEDO, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO HEALTH SCI CAMPUS — TOLEDO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SUBRAMANIAN, THYAGARAJAN — UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO HEALTH SCI CAMPUS
- Study coordinator: SUBRAMANIAN, THYAGARAJAN
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.